3 posts from April 26, 2013

April 26, 2013

And, as agent Drew Rosenhaus pointed out, by going in the second round, FIU safety Johnathan Cyprien will get a four-year contract instead of a five-year one. Back to the Jacksonville bank earlier if he plays well.

Jacksonville finished last season 2-14. Second round picks should be starting on teams coming off 2-14. New head coach Gus Bradley opined recently that the Jaguars didn't have a true strong safety on their roster. NFL Network scouting analyst Mike Mayock sees Cyprien as similar to Seattle's Kam Chancellor, if not as long, but able to play the "enforcement safety" in the defense Bradley brings with him from Seattle. NFL Network's Charles Davis, a former player, thinks Cyp's got more range than Chancellor.

Bradley mentioned Cyprien's angles to the ball. In almost every radio interview I've done discussing Cyprien, I lauded his closing speed to the ball while also noting it's faster than his 40 time would indicate. That's why. A half-step saved in an angle is the different between a tackle and a cameo in a highlight film.

Safety Johnathan Cyprien's party got started quickly Friday night as Jacksonville took him with the first pick in the second round of the NFL Draft. I'll have video from the party on the blog later. Right now, I've got to crank out the story, edit the photos and video, blah, blah, blah.

But rarely will you see a public release of joy such as Cyprien let out after getting off the phone with ESPN.

NFL Network's Mike Mayock, the best of the draft analysts, had FIU safety Johnathan Cyprien as the third best safety in the draft. One of the two he rated better was Florida's Matt Elam, who went to Baltimore with the last pick in the first round. So, Cyprien's right where Mayock figured he'd be.

He should go during the second or third round Friday. If defensive end Tourek Williams gets picked, it'll be during Saturday's last four rounds.